Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - More than 60 deputies from various parties submitted a bill aimed at granting equal treatment for all churches, and whose relation with the State isn’t protected in a special law or international treaty.
The initiative of the deputy Carlos Peña seeks to guarantee the fundamental right to religious freedom and worship, as stated in the Constitution and international treaties.
The bill on Religious Associations would create the National Registry of Religious Associations, where the Catholic and other churches, councils, ministries, ecclesiastic and para-ecclesiastic associations, confraternities and institutions will have to register, to be able to operate in Dominican territory.
Peña said the bill states that all religious associations will be tax exempt and State will have to provide a monthly subsidy for the churches. He said marriages officiated by religious associations will have the same effect as a civil marriage.